His features tightened, almost as if he was in pain. “To have something that isn’t in your best interest.”

Doug wasn’t talking about the radio show she coveted.

He was talking about coveting her.

That was reassuring—but for now, she’d play the innocent. “Why wouldn’t the chance of a radio job be in my best interest?”

“I’m not saying it isn’t—but rushing an opportunity could be a mistake. There are repercussions for every decision.”

Like cheating on your wife?

But that was his problem. Her sole concern was her career. “Not all repercussions are bad. And I’ve always believed you should seize opportunities, because they may not come again.” She smoothed out a crease in the lapel of his sport jacket. “That doesn’t mean I believe you should resort to anything underhanded to foster them, however.”

He studied her, conflict scoring his features. “I’d like to think you’re being honest with me.”

“As you should. Always think the best of people—especially friends who’ve given you no cause to distrust them.”

Her response didn’t placate him. “Carolyn—I want to give you the benefit of the doubt. But your call Wednesday . . . it bothered me.” He massaged the puckers on his forehead. “Can you assure me you’ve had nothing to do with all the troubles plaguing Eve?”

She huffed out a breath and retracted her hand. “Do I look like someone who would leave a fake bomb?”

“No—but I have no experience with people who leave fake bombs. I don’t know what they look like.”

She tucked her purse under her arm and hiked up her chin again. “This is not a discussion I intend to have in the middle of a restaurant. If you want our friendship to continue, I’ll expect an apology. Otherwise, I won’t be here next Monday.”

With that, she spun on her heel and stalked to the door.

Doug didn’t follow.

Unfortunately.

That meant he was unconvinced about her innocence. Unsure whether to trust the woman he’d been mentoring for the past eight months.

This setback was past aggravating. It was downright disturbing.

She pushed through the door, into cloying air thick with humidity.

After all the months she’d spent currying Doug’s favor with mild flirting and ego strokes, pinning her radio future on him, how could he distance himself from her? Aside from Wednesday’s ill-advised call, she’d done nothing to deserve his distrust.

Nothing that he could prove, at least.

Tightening her grip on her purse, she trekked toward her car.

Maybe he’d come around, call her to apologize, beg her to keep their lunch date next Monday.

But what if he didn’t? What if, instead of caving to the temptation to spend time with her . . . and perhaps share more than lunch . . . he cut her off? Continued to doubt her innocence?